Elements
Natureâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
In a biblical and ancient context, elements (stoicheia) refer to the basic constituents of the universe or the spiritual principalities and planetary powers that governed the cosmos in Greco-Roman and early Christian thought.
What is the meaning of Elements in the Bible?
In a biblical and ancient context, elements (stoicheia) refer to the basic constituents of the universe or the spiritual principalities and planetary powers that governed the cosmos in Greco-Roman and early Christian thought.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the physical definition of elements clarifies the imagery in 2 Peter 3:10, where the dissolution of the material cosmos is described through the melting of these basic constituents.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Elements in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Elements clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.